Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader

Dan Lucarini lucidly describes the travesty Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) has wrought among the saints. As a pastor who only permits traditional worship formats in the church, I recommended the book from the pulpit to the entire congregation and assigned it as required reading for the board of deacons. The book continues to be refreshing two days after reading it and the Holy Spirit used the content to move me to pray for believers regarding issues I never have before. It is apparent that the author is sensitive to the Holy Spirit's ways with him, that he is a willing vessel to be used by God for His glory, and that God's Word is a priority in his life. The author's humility is evident and his confession of sin in the book will bring conviction by the Spirit on any believer who is positive to fulfilling God's plan for his life. The pupose of the local church is not to attract the world through seeker sensitive music, programs, and worship formats but to edify the saints through expositional Bible teaching & preaching. Then the saints are prepared to go out from the church into the world and evangelize the lost.

I have lived through everything mentioned in this book, and I have heard every hateful, presumptive, dishonest criticism leveled by some of these reviewers. I was the music leader and deacon for an English-language church in Germany. I led a balanced song service, with a split of 60/40 or 40/60 hymn/contemporary songs almost every Sunday. I had only three rules for congregational songs: 1. It must have sound doctrine. 2. It must have a musical style that is generally recognized as beautiful. 3. It must be singable by the congregation. That was far too strict a standard for the rebels. They attacked me because I wasn't 100% CCM; because I didn't immediately incorporate every song that went to #1 on the "christian" pop charts. They introduced division in a church that had been unified for years, and when we questioned some of the bad doctrine in their favorite songs, they accused us of being divisive. When we questioned the wisdom of kicking a church member off the drums and replacing him with a guy off a park bench who showed up for his "gig" wearing a t-shirt that says "I Love Death Metal and So Does Jesus," but leaving when it was time to hear God's Word, we were called hateful. When we asked the new pastor for help to combat the rebellion and the bad doctrine of these people, we were pushed out and replaced by the rebels. Dan Lucarini could have been a mouse in the corner, taking notes for his book, in that church. You find these people in 2 Tim 3:2-5. They are "lovers of self, arrogant, revilers, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power." I tried for nearly two years to work with them, but they rebuffed every attempt. They have hurt so many people. And I am only 36 years old, with a great love for great lyrics and tunes, old and new--not one of the oldsters they hate so much. Bottom line: there were other churches in town that catered to the personal preferences of the rebels. They didn't really have to come into our church and destroy all that it had been, remaking it in their own image. Nobody forced them to come. Our big mistake was that we didn't force them to leave when we recognized them as rebels in the mold of King Saul, and fools in the mold of King Rehoboam. Instead, we tried to work with them and reason with them from the Bible. No matter how much Bible we used, it was "just our opinion." And so we are the ones wandering in the wilderness. Funny thing--now that the rebels have become the leaders, they demand submission to the church leadership as a condition for church membership. They thing they were unwilling to do, they demand of everyone else. Is God honored by this? Not according to the Bible.

"Why I Left The Contemporary Christian Music Movement" questions the modernization of music in the church, using author Dan Lucarini's own experience as a worship leader and evidence from scripture, along with the occaisonal quote from a bible academic or two. He also tackles the reasons that contemporary christians give for making the modernization, dissecting and questioning the relevance of these. Lucarini is not a professional writer by any means, but has written a straightforward, easy to read, yet thought provoking book all the same.Dan Lucarini's views are made very clear - contemporary Christian music can be hazardous for your faith. It may split your church, it may alienate older believers, and it may even open the door for less than welcome influence, among other things, he claims. He has a zero tolerance for drum kits and electric guitars, saying that their loud noise and "sensual beats" detract from God. He was once in support of the contemporary music, one of the pioneers in fact, but now regrets it. He believes that with classical and organ/piano fuelled hymns, you "can't go wrong". They may be old, but they are wholesome, and aren't associated with any wayward lifestyle.Though I don't agree with it all (I was particularly baffled by his dislike of drumkits and his obsession with beats being sensual), Lucarini does make a few valid points, particularly regarding the nature of worship. Do we have this modern music in the service to please ourselves, or to please God? We are supposed to be humble before God, rock musicians are often flashy and superficial. Will singers imitating modern music styles in the church take on certain modern musical values while singing that aren't biblically sound? Do we run the risk of idolizing our best singers in the church by putting them up on stage? All good questions to add to the debate, and I'm glad that he was brave enough to bring them up.I was a bit confused on where Lucarini stood on music as a whole. Sure, he believes showy rock music is inappropriate for humble worship of the Lord, but does he still listen to rock music at all? If not, what does he listen to? He lists a few bands he USED to listen to (Deep Purple, Emerson Lake & Palmer, etc), but doesn't say much about his listening habits nowadays. Is he disapproving of those who listen to rock music outside of church too? Is it possible to be a Christian drummer? If he believes that traditional music can't fail, what does he think of the instruments and musical styles that King David used to play? Is it possible to have music like that in a church? I'm curious to know what he'd think. He also blames Satan a lot for the choices people are making, which gets a bit grating at times. Surely we can take a little more responsibility for our actions and our mistakes?Readers' opinions will be divided, as they are here in the reviews. It's a hot topic in the churches. Lucarini does his best to give a level, well thought out opinion, based on his o

Great book and interesting, uncomplicated read. 9 out of 10 Christians would probably label this book as opinionated and destroying the progress of the evangelical movement in the America today. But like many episodes in the bible, the minority are frequently correct but overcome by a tide of well-meaning but deluded people. Lucarini, from first-hand experience, has special discernment in detailing the origin of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and that it is a worldly means of attracting people to the gospel message. Take away the lyrics, the sound is like mainstream rock radio of today with their pagan origins. I am not a musician but I have seen first-hand the infiltration and effects of Christian rock into the church. In too many churches, one can no longer find an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and a quiet worship with one's creator. The sound is so loud at times, I have left the sanctuary. I have had friendly discussions with our youth pastor. He said the youth want to hear music they like and we need to do it to attract them back. Well, the elders buy into this, even though some of them come in late purposely because they don't like the music. Go figure ??The other very destructive part of CCM generally is that we have raised a group of young evangelicals who are biblically illiterate. They sing the words but have no background on where in the bible those lyrics or thoughts can be found. Many are "7-11" songs ... seven words repeated 11 times over. People are attracted because of the music and many probably stay only because of the music. Are they truly growing as disciples in the Lord for which they are commanded? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) In too many churches, the only hearing done by youth is from the band. The other thing Lucarini touches upon is to read the lyrics of many CCM songs. Many of them could have been written by George Harrison of the Beatles praising one of his Hindu Gods. Essentially many CCM songs are general worship music... just insert the God of your choice as you sing. Where is the exclusivity of Jesus? (John 14:6) CCM doesn't want to deal too specifically with the blood of Christ, What His suffering on the cross cost the Father, His second coming, and final judgment for every person. The lyrics don't get too complicated.... people won't come back. Lucarini should be commended for taking a terribly politically incorrect stance but one that is absolutely correct. CCM is paving the way for the ecumenical church of Revelation Chapter 3, one that is lukewarm that Jesus says He will spew out of His mouth. Thank you for your boldness, Mr. Lucarini.

Written from the perspective of "one who's been there," Dan's book openly and honestly explains the philosophy behind CCM worship and why it is a problem within the Church. While he tells of his own experiences as a contemporary worship leader, composer, and musician, he also contrasts biblical worship with today's contemporary worship. "Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement" is easy to read and should be read by every Christian, whether or not he or she is involved in music. It will give the reader insights into today's music controversy within the Church.